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The Bureau of Mines, in carrying out one of the provisions of its organic act—to disseminate information concerning investigations made—prints a limited free edition of each of its publications.

When this edition is exhausted, copies may be obtained at cost price only through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C.

The Superintendent of Documents is not an official of the Bureau of Mines. His is an entirely separate office and he should be addressed:

SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS,

Government Printing Office,

Washington, D. C.

The general law under which publications are distributed prohibits the giving

of more than one copy of a publication to one person. The price of this publication is 40 cents.

First edition, March, 1921.

II

PREFACE.

The wide demand for copies of the petroleum laws of Mexico and of the Central and South American Republics has been deemed a sufficient reason for the Bureau of Mines making a collection of laws. In addition, persons interested in petroleum production, and persons desiring information on the conditions under which operators might engage in mining oil in these countries suggested that this bureau collect and give to the public, as far as practicable, the laws regulating leases and concessions, and the explorations for and exploiting of petroleum in these Republics.

It was not practical, in order to meet the demand for copies of these laws, to send representatives to all these various Republics for the purpose of obtaining the latest legislative expressions relating to petroleum operations. The numerous inquiries and the increasing demand for this information had lead the State Department to undertake, though its Consular Service, to have these and other laws of interest to the American people furnished to that department, and this material, generously placed at the disposal of the Bureau of Mines, has been the main source for this report.

This collection of these laws is as current as it could be made, considering the agencies engaged, the distances involved, and the time. required for the transmission of mail. Complying with the popular demand for information and being aware of the necessity for an increase in the production of oil to meet the prospective increase in consumption, the Bureau of Mines gives to the public the results of its efforts in behalf of a wider knowledge of the petroleum laws of all America.

Included in the collection are the comparatively new leasing act enacted by Congress and the regulations governing the operations under it. It was deemed advisable to publish also the petroleum laws of the various States as well as those of Canada.

H. FOSTER BAIN,

Director.

:

ITI

AUTHOR'S PREFACE.

This bulletin includes the petroleum laws of (1) United States; (2) the several oil-producing States; (3) Canada; (4) Mexico; (5) the Republics of Central and South America.

The author has sought to include the last congressional and legislative enactments on petroleum operations, and the laws given are the latest obtainable. No discoveries of oil have been made in some of the Central and South American Republics and those countries, therefore, have no laws on the subject.

For some countries, in the absence of a law governing petroleum operations, the general mining code is given, as it may be possible for petroleum concessions to be made and oil deposits developed under a mining code.

The petroleum laws of the Spanish American Republics are usually supplemented by decrees of the Presidents, which serve the purpose of regulations. Such decrees may not change or annul absolutely a congressional enactment, but they may in effect modify the application and enforcement of the laws. These decrees may be issued at any time, and it is highly important for concessionaires to keep advised as to the latest decree. The same statement applies to the orders in council issued by the Canadian Government. The commissions of many of our own States have wide authority in regulating the operations of State laws, and their regulations are subject to change and amendment.

Compliance with any such decrees, orders in council, and rules of the State commissions is as essential as obedience to the laws themselves.

Much effort has been given to finding and presenting the latest and most reliable enactments. Every facility has been used in obtaining the most accurate translations of the Spanish laws. Different translations of some laws have been compared and the phraseology that seemed best has been adopted. A literal translation of every enactment has been sought, but some Spanish legislative expressions do not lend themselves to literal translation, and the intent of these has been gathered by persons familiar with Spanish legal terms and phraseology.

No general or full word index is given, as it is believed that the complete table of contents, repeated at the head of each State or country, and the prominent title lines showing each subject treated will lead the reader directly to any desired point or provision.

Dr. Millspaugh of the State Department, in charge of the consular reports relating to the mining laws in Mexico, Central and South America, by his kindness contributed largely to the obtaining of the latest laws from these countries.

Expressions of appreciation are due the Hon. H. N. Branch, attorney, who is a naturalized citizen of Mexico and has specialized in the mining laws of that Republic, for his assistance with the Mexican laws and the translation of laws of other Republics.

The author is under obligation to the Hon. P. Luna y Parra, attorney, who has studied the laws of all the Spanish American Republics, for carefully criticising the entire collection, and to Mr. James R. Jones, formerly connected with the Bureau of Mines, for aid in collecting and arranging the laws of some of the Spanish American Republics.

J. W. THOMPSON,
Law Examiner.

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